What We're Reading: Vermont AG Sues Sackler Family; Half-Price Insulin; Asthma Rates Fall in LA

Vermont Attorney General Sue Sackler Family Over Deceptive Marketing

Eli Lilly's Half-Price Version of Humalog Insulin Now Available

Asthma Rates for Children Fell in Los Angeles After Air Quality Improved

Vermont’s Attorney General T.J. Donovan has sued 8 members of the Sackler family, owners of the company that manufactures OxyContin, CNN reported. Donovan has accused the family members of directing a marketing campaign that minimized the health risks of opioids and encouraged sales representatives to promote higher-dose products, which were more addictive and dangerous. The Sacklers and their company, Purdue Pharma, have denied the allegations and plans to mount a defense.Fulfilling a promise made in March to offer more affordable insulin for patients with diabetes, drug manufacturer Eli Lilly is now selling a half-priced, generic version of Humalog called insulin lispro, Associated Press reported. Lilly said patients who have high-deductible health insurance, are uninsured, or have Medicare Part D plans will experience the greatest cost-savings. The average price of insulin almost tripled from 2002 to 2013 and has risen about 10% per year since then. The generic version will cost about $137.50 per vial or $265.20 for a package of 5 pens, an easier-to-inject option.Improvements in Los Angeles’ air quality have resulted in fewer children being diagnosed with asthma, according to NPR. Researchers at the University of Southern California conducted a study to examine whether stricter regulation of vehicle emissions that improved air quality could lead to better health outcomes. The findings were published yesterday in JAMA, and while they didn’t establish a cause and effect relationship, they provided convincing circumstantial evidence that improvements in air quality could result in fewer illnesses.